Reinforced construction for leg supported furniture



United States Patent [72] Inventor Ruth A. Dean Wellesley, Massachusetts [21] Appl. No. 727,193 [22] Filed May 7,1968 [45] Patented Sept. 22, 1970 [73] Assignee The Taylor Chair Company Bedford, Ohio [54] REINFORCED CONSTRUCTION FOR LEG [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,907,969 5/1933 Hunter 312/255 Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Attorney-Burns, Doane, Benedict, Swecker and Mathis ABSTRACT: An article of furniture which includes a supported member having a surface bounded by a peripheral edge. An outer leg is positioned at a predetermined location on the peripheral edge and includes outer surfaces facing outwardly of the supported member and inner surfaces facing in wardly of the supported member. An inner leg contiguously abutting the inner surface portions of the outer leg is coextensive therewith. The inner leg also has exposed surface portions blending peripherally with the adjacent outer surface portions of the outer leg. A generally horizontal plate member fixedly secured to the upper end of the inner leg extends inwardly of the support member and is fixedly secured in abutting contact to the lower surface thereof by connecting means.

'Patented Sept. 22, 1970' I 5 3,529,555

Sheet 1 of2 INVENTOR RUTH DEAN BY Bmnqbom, Emma, JPweaku Q ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 22, 1970 2 of 2 V Sheet REINFORCED CONSTRUCTION FOR LEG SUPPORTED FURNITURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an article of furniture of the type including a generally horizontal supported member provided with at least one ground engaging leg. In particular, the invention relates to an article of furniture such as a table having a reinforced, composite wood and metal leg of particularly rugged construction.

Many types of furniture such as tables, chairs and the like include a generally horizontal supported member having at least one ground engaging leg secured to its under side. The present invention will be described with particular reference to a generally rectangular table having legs at its corners, but it will be appreciated that the construction which will be described is of general application and may be employed with other known articles of furniture of different kinds.

In the manufacture of tables, particular attention must usually be paid to the leg and corner joint construction employed. For reasons of appearance it is frequently desirable to provide slender legs and unobtrusive corner joint construction. However, these requirements may frequently conflict with strength requirements intended to insure that the table does not collapse under load. Where both appearance and load bearing ability are important factors such as, for example, in store furniture, library tables, school equipment and the like, a combination of these differing requirements may pose particular difficulties.

One previous structure providing a strong leg includes a vertically extending metal leg of angle section, extending partially about a vertical wooden core which provides reinforcement for the metal leg. The metal leg is connected below a sup ported horizontal member by a triangular bracket integral with the metal leg and bearing an upwardly projecting flange bolted to a vertical side surface of the supported member. Such construction may prove unsatisfactory in the environments previously mentioned for a number of reasons.

For example, significant appearance disadvantages are likely to result. These may arise, because of the unsightly appearance of the brackets and associated connectors used to attach the metal leg to the vertical side exterior of the wooden supported member. Also, the positioning of the metal leg outside the wooden core, may provide a sharp contrast in appearance between the metal leg and adjacent portions of the wooden supported member. Furthermore, the construction in the area of the joint may have a generally bulky appearance detracting from the overall appearance of the table.

Another disadvantage is that the triangular supporting portions of the prior device may reduce the available free space under the table in the area of each table leg. Where the table is intended to be used by seated persons this may cause fort to a person seated at the table corner, and where the tables are of successively related size, this may pr -event nesting of the tables when required.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide an article of furniture intended to obviate or minimize problems of the type previously noted.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a table leg and joint intended to provide a particularly satisfactory compromise between the conflicting requirements of appearance and constructional strength.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a table having a particularly rigid leg construction which is achieved without reducing the free space under the table in the area of the table leg.

It is another object of the invention to provide a table of the type having a wooden top provided with a composite metal and wood leg, wherein the exterior of the table top is blended particularly effectively with the exterior of the wooden portion of the leg to provide a superior appearance.

One preferred embodiment of the invention intended to accomplish at least some of the foregoing objects comprises an article of furniture including a supported member having a surface and a peripheral edge extending about the surface. An outer leg is fixedly secured to the surface of the supported member adjacent a predetermined location on the peripheral edge. The outer leg includes outer surfaces facing outwardly of the supported member and inner surfaces facing inwardly of it. An inner leg contiguously abutting the inner surfaces of the outer leg is generally coextensive therewith. The inner leg includes exposed surface portions blending peripherally with adjacent portions of the outer surfaces of the outer leg. A generally horizontal plate member fixedly secured to the inner leg extends inwardly of the support member and is fixedly connected in abutting contact to the surface of the supported member by connecting means.

As a significant feature of the invention the inner leg and plate member are metal to provide a particularly strong leg and rigid joint, and the outer leg is wooden to provide a superior appearance blending smoothly with the wooden table top.

In another aspect of the invention peripherally extending beams are secured to the surface of the supported member. The beams have outer surfaces flush with the adjacent portions of the peripheral edge of the supported member extending downwardly to a point below the plate member to conceal the latter horizontally.

In a further aspect of the invention, two veneer portions are provided extending peripherally from the predetermined location on opposite sides thereof. Each veneer portion extends vertically from an upper surface of the supported member, spaced above the previously mentioned surface, down to the lower edge of the adjacent beam. Each veneer portion is provided with a slanted edge extending downwardly from the predetermined location on a level with the upper surface of the supported member to a point adjacent a 'point bf intersection of the lower edge of the adjacent beam with the outer leg. The outer leg is provided with two raised portions extending vertically and peripherally on opposite sides of the predetermined location. Each raised portion has an outer surface lying in the same plane as the outer surface of the adjacent veneer and is provided with a downwardly slanted edge in mating contact with the adjacent slanting edge of the adjacent veneer. The lines of contact defined by the veneers and the adjacent raised portions on opposite sides of the predetermined location, provide an attractive mitred appearance to the leg structure.

THE DRAWINGS Certain preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article of furniture, in particular a table, constructed in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a portion of the table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inner leg forming a part of the table shown in FIG. 1; I

FIG. 4 is a top view of the portion of the table shown in FIG. 2 with the table 'top removed to show the corner construction more clearly;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the portion of the table shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 55 therein but with the table top in position; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the invention there shown comprises part of a table, although it will be appreciated that other articles of furniture such as chairs, bureaus and the like may be constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The table includes a horizontally disposed rectangular wooden table top 2 of uniform thickness having vertically extending, longitudinal and transverse side edges 4 and 6 respectively and flat upper and lower surfaces 10 and 12 respectively. The table top 2 also includes four right angle corners 14, each of which constitutes a predetermined location at which is positioned a floor engaging supporting leg 16.

Each of the legs 16 (FIG. 2) is formed as a vertically extending, generally rectangular cross section, composite structure, comprising a wooden outer leg 18 into which is partially recessed a metal leg 20.

Each wooden outer leg 18 is of generally L-shaped crosssection having at its upper end two vertically extending, longitudinal and transverse fiat outer surfaces 22 and 24 respectively, lying in the same planes as the longitudinal and transverse side edges 4 and 6 respectively of the table top 2. The outer leg also includes a horizontally disposed flat top surface 26 abutting the under side 12 of the table top 2 and fixedly secured thereto by adhesive bonding. Extending downwardly from each of the outer surfaces 22 and 24 are downwardly extending, longitudinal and transverse, raised surfaces 28 and 30 respectively, provided for a purpose to be described.

Each outer leg 18 further includes a longitudinal side surface 32 extending vertically and longitudinally from the free extremity of the transverse outer surface 24 and raised surface at right angles thereto, in a direction inwardly of the table top 2. Similarly, there is provided a transverse side face 34 extending vertically and transversely from the free extremity of the longitudinal outer surface 22 and raised surface 28 at right angles thereto in a direction inwardly of the table top 2.

A generally rectangular, vertically extending recess or notch 36 in the leg 18 is defined by two vertically extending longitudinal and transverse notch faces 38 and 40 respectively, extending perpendicularly inwardly from the transverse and longitudinal side surface 34 and 32 respectively. The notch faces 40 and 38 are located on the transverse and longitudinal median planes of the leg 18.

It will be appreciated that the construction thus far described provides a wooden outer leg aligned vertically with the corner 14 of the wooden table top and having outer surfaces at the top of the leg flush with the adjacent edges of the table top adapted to blend attractively with the wood of the table top itself.

In order to provide additional reinforcement to increase the load carrying capacity of each leg, the previously mentioned metal legs 20 are also provided. Each metal leg 20 is a rectangular cross section, vertical metal rod t iaving one pair of perpendicularly related side surfaces 42 and 44 received within the notch 36 abutting the notch surfaces 40 and 38 respectively, and secured thereto by adhesive bonding. Another pair of perpendicularly related exposed surfaces 46 and 48 of the metal leg 20 lie flush with the side surfaces 32 and 34 respectively of the outer leg 18.

At its upper end each inner leg 20 is fixedly secured by welding to the under side of a rectangular, uniformly thick metal plate 50 at one corner thereof (FIG. 3). The metal plate 50 is rectangular and has one right angle corner 52 (FIGS. 2 and 4) positioned snugly in the corner of the notch 36 of the outer leg 18. The plate 50 further includes vertically extending side surfaces 54 and 56 abutting and extending outwardly of the notch surfaces 38 and 40 respectively. The plate 50 is fixedly and rigidly secured to the under side 1292 the table top 2 by elongate connectors 57 such as screws passing through apertures in the plate 50 and threaded into the table top. In addition, the upper surface of plate 50 may be adhesively bonded to the under side 12 of the table top 2.

It will be appreciated that the load bearing capacity of the metal leg is such as to greatly increase the load that may be supported by the table. In addition, the large support area provided by the metal support plate 50 at the corner distributes the leg load to the table in a particularly effective manner at the joint. Also, the large area of the plate 50 stabilizes the inner leg 20 against movement out of perpendicular relation to the table top, thus providing a joint which retains its rigid qualities without loosening, over long periods. These advantages are provided without any significant reduction in the amount of free space under the table in the area of 'the table leg.

To provide additional strengtheningfor the table top 2 and t6 "cereal ihe plafe'50 horizontally fiiihrviewTldn'g'it'udinal and transverse beams or stringers 60 and 61 are fixedly secured to the under surface 12 of the table top 2 along the edges thereof. Each stringer comprises a rectangular cross section wooden joist having a horizontal top surface 62 of the same width as the composite leg 16, adhesively bonded to the lower surface .12 of the table top. A vertical outer side surface 64, of each stringer 60 flush with the adjacent one *of the side edges 4 and 6 of the table top 2 extends downwardly to a point spaced vertically below the lower edge of the plate 50. Each stringer further includes a plate edge supporting recess 66 adjacent each comer 14 for accommodating the adjacent portions of the plate 50. Each plate edge supporting recess 66 in cludes a fiat horizontal face 67 abutting the underside of the plate 50 to provide additional steadying therefor and to cover the heads of the screws 57. It will be appreciated that the beam in the area of the recess 66 functions as a wooden ledge providing valuable additional support for the plate member 50. A vertically extending, flat, end surface 68 (FIG. 5) of each stringer is adhesively bonded to the adjacent one of the side surfaces 32 and 34 of the outer leg 18. The end surface 68 adjacent the upper part is provided with a chamfered surface 69 to accommodate weld material between the metal leg 20 and the underside of the metal plate 50.

The stringers provide strengthening for the table top 2 along its longitudinal and transverse edges and in addition provide valuable extra support for the outer leg 18 and the plate 50 at each corner. Also, the stringers conceal the plate members from both a longitudinal and a transverse viewpoint.

To provide a particularly attractive appearance at each corner joint of the table, veneer overlays 70 (FIGS. 2 and 4) are provided along each longitudinal and transverse edge of the table. Each veneer 70 is of uniform thickness and extends along an adjacent one of the side edges 4 and 6 of the table top 2 extending vertically over the adjacent side edges of the table legs and over the adjacent outer surface 64 of the adjacent one of the stringers. Each veneer 70 also extends between one comer 14 and the next and is secured to adjacent portions of the table and stringer by adhesive bonding.

At each corner joint a special construction is provided for supporting the veneer. For this purpose the table top 2 at each comer 14 is provided with a flat; chamfered, corner surface. The chamfered surface extends downwardly from the point of intersection of the corner 14 with the upper surface 10 of the table top 2 and is inclined longitudinally and transversely inwardly of the table top. The plane of the chamfered surface is inclined at an angle of about 45 to the upper surface 10 of the table top 2. Matingly abutting and bonded to the chamfered corner surface of the table top is a correspondingly inclined flat surface 74 forming part of a solid pyramid-shaped projection 76 (FIG. 2) integral with the outer leg 18. The projection 76 extends upwardly from the flat top surface 26 thereof adjacent the comer of the table 14. The projection 76 also includes side surfaces coplanar with the previously mentioned raised outer surfaces 28 and 30 of the outer leg 18.

Extending perpendicularly between the outer surface 24 and the raised side surface 30 of the leg 16 is a slant edge 80 extending downwardly from the corner 14 to a point defined by the intersection of the side surface 32 and the lower edge of the stringer 61 at ap inclination of about 45 A corresponding slant edge 82 is provided on the longitudinal outer surface of the leg 16. Each veneer 70 adjacent the comer 14 is provided with a downwardly inclined slant edge configured to matingly abut and be fixedly bonded to the adjacent one of the slant edges 80 and 82. The outer, vertical surface of the veneer 70 lies in the same plane as the outer vertical surface of the adjacent one of the raised portions 28 and 30 to be flush therewith.

It will be appreciated that the construction described provides a neat mitre joint appearance at the corner. In this joint an apparent line of intersection between the table edge and the leg inclined downwardly at about 45 is seen, whether the table is viewed from a longitudinal view point or a transverse viewpoint.

Although the invention has thus far been described with reference to a rectangular table having 90 comers, it will be appreciated that the construction described may be applied to the corners of tables having other geometric table top shapes such as, for example, triangular, polygonal or irregular shapes. ln another embodiment of the invention, (FIG. 6) a composite leg is provided for a table having a curved peripheral edge. A vertically extending outer leg 100, having a vertically extending upper outer surface 102 aligned with and configured to conform to the curvature of the table top', further includes radially extending, vertical side surfaces 104. A vertically extending inner surface 106 extending perpendicularly between the side surfaces 104 is provided with a centrally located rectangular recess 108 receiving a rectangular metal inner leg 110. Peripherally extending, rectangular cross-section stringers 112 secured to the periphery of the table top along the underside thereof abut the adjacent exterior side surfaces 104 of the outer leg 100 and are bonded thereto.

A generally rectangular plate member 120 fixedly secured to the upper end of the metal leg 110 by welding or the like is fixedly secured to the under side of the table top to support the leg 110. The plate 120 includes a front edge 122 received within recessed portions 123 provided in the stringers 112.

Veneer overlays (not shown but similar to those previously described) overlap the edge of the table top and the associated stringers 104 and meet at a point peripherally central of the leg 102 on a level with the upper surface of the table top. The leg 102 is provided with a raised portion 132 having two downwardly and peripherally outwardly inclined slant edges 136 matingly abutting the correspondingly configured slant edges of the veneers to provide a mitred effect, similar to that previously described for the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES It will be appreciatedthat in following the present invention, an articleof furniture having important advantages is provided.

For example, the provision of a composite leg including a wooden outer leg connected with a metal leg secured by a metal plate to the under surface of a supported member, provides particularly increased load bearing capacity for the supported member.

In particular, the. provision of a horizontal plate to support the metal leg provides for very strong corner joint construction without significantly reducing under table space in the area of the leg.

Another advantage is provided by the wooden outer leg which is positioned to partially surround the metal leg to provide an enhanced blending effect with the usual wooden table top.

Other advantages are provided by the stringers which reinforce the table top and at the same time provide increased support for the plate supporting the wooden legl'l'he stringer members also horizontally concealthe plate member from view from either a longitudinal or transverse direction.

Other advantages are provided by the veneer" overlays which permit an attractive mitred appearance to be provided at the table corners, which appearance remains the same whether the joint is viewed end-on or side-on.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that additions, deletions, modifications, substitutions and other changes may be made within the spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. An article of furniture comprising:

a supported member having:

a surface; a peripheral edge extending about said surface;

an outer leg positioned adjacent a predetermined location on said edge and fixedly secured to said surface of said supported member;

said outer leg including:

outer surface portions facing outwardly of said supported member; inner surface portions facing inwardly of said supported member;

an inner leg contiguously abutting said inner surface portions of said outer leg and generally coextensive therewith, said inner leg having exposed surface portions blending peripherally with adjacent portions of said outer surface portions of said outer leg substantially along the entire length thereof;

a generally horizontal, plate member fixedly secured to one end of said inner leg extending inwardlyof said supported member; and

means for fixedly connecting said plate member in abutting contact to said surface of said supported member.

2. An article of furniture as defined in claim I, further including:

means fixedly connecting said abutting portions of said legs together. 3. An article of furniture as defined in claim 2 wherein: said outer surface portions of said outer leg further include:

central surface portions parallel to and generally coplanar with the adjacent portions of said peripheral edge of said supported member;

side surface portions at the peripheral extremities of said central surface portions extending inwardly of said supported member toward said inner leg;

first and second beammembers fixedly secured to said surface of said supported member extending peripherally thereof on opposite sides of said outer leg, each'said beam member including: j

an outer surface flush with the adjacent portions of said peripheral edge of said supported member extending away therefrom to a greater extent than said plate member to conceal said plate member; and

an end surface matingly abutting the adjacent one of said side surfaces of said outer leg member.

4. An article of furniture as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said surface of said supported member is generally horizontally disposed and said legs extend generally downwardly therefrom;

said supported member further including:

a generally horizontally disposed upper surface spaced above said surface;

said peripheral edge further including:

flat, vertically and peripherally extending first and second edge portions disposed in intersecting relation to define a corner at-said location;

said central surface portions of said outer leg being flat and aligned flush vertically with the adjacent first and second edge portions of said supported member;

said supported member further including:

a chamfered portion extending downwardly and inwardly of said supported member from said upper surface thereof at said corner to said lower surface;

said outer leg including:

a flat, generally horizontally disposed upper surface of said outer leg abutting said lower surface of said supported member; and I a projection extending upwardly from said upper surface of said outer leg inclined outwardly to matingly abut said ehamfered portion of said supported member.

5. An article of furniture as defined in claim 4 further including: I

first and second veneer portions extending along said first and second edge portions respectively, of said peripheral edge, each said veneer portion overlying the adjacent said edge portion and the adjacent outer surface of the adjacent one of said beams;

each said veneer portion further including: I

a vertically and peripherally extending generally flat outer surface;

a slanted end edge generally perpendicular to said outer surface of said veneer portion extending downwardly from said upper surface of said supported member at said corner to a point adjacent the intersection of the lower edge of the adjacent said beam with said outer leg;

said outer leg further including:

a raised portion on each of said central surface portions having an outer surface lying in the same plane as the outer surface of each adjacent said veneer portion, each said raised portion including:

a slanted end edge generally perpendicular to said outer surface of said outer leg extending across the adjacent said central surface portion and across said projection, said end edge of each said raised portion being in mating abutting contact with said slanted edge portion of the adjacent said veneer portion.

6. An article of furniture as defined in claim wherein said inner leg and said plate member are metal.

7. An article of furniture as defined in claim 5 wherein one of said legs is at least partially recessed into the other of said legs.

8. An article of furniture as defined in claim 5 wherein said corner is generally rectangular and said inner and outer legs define a composite rectangular cross-section leg.

9. An article of furniture as defined in claim 3 wherein said one and said other portions of said peripheral edge of said supported member comprise adjacent portions of a curved periphery of said supported member.

10. An article of furniture comprising:

a wooden member having:

a surface;

a peripheral edge extending about said surface;

an axially extending wooden leg fixedly secured to said surface extending outwardly therefrom at a predetermined location on said peripheral edge, said wooden leg including:

an axially extending recess;

an axially extending metal leg received partially within said recess in said wooden leg;

at least one axially extending surface of said metal leg being exposed;

a metal plate fixedly secured to said metal leg, said metal plate fixedly secured in abutting contact to said surface of said wooden member; and

at least one wooden ledge secured to said wooden member, said wooden ledge and said surface of said wooden member cooperating to define at least one plate edge supporting recess snugly receiving adjacent edge portions of said metal plate. 

